​​​
In 2014 a small group of  craft artists  gathered in Chicago to discuss the future of the American studio craft movement. During those conversations several attendees lamented the fact that no history of the movement or the community they felt so much a part of had been written .
Additionally it was noted that any first hand history of the movements beginnings had to be gathered soon because many of the original craftspeople were World war II vets and/or Black Mountain School graduates and as such were no longer working or in some cases had died.   
These artists, defined by  creativity, ingenuity and self reliance were in many cases self taught in the field of craft they chose to explor. Many earned their livings not by teaching or writing but by creating work in their studios and transporting that work to events around the country to sell. 
Additionally, it was noted that the Craftsman's Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+), a non-profit founded and funded by these same studio craft artists that was established to provide direct financial assistance and emergency relief as well as educational oppurtunities to craftspeople was in dire need of funds as a result of the recession of 2009.
Valerie Hector a bead artist, and myself decided to develope a project that would serve both to chronicle the studio craft movement from the late 50's until today and provide CERF with it's much needed funds.
The result was a book, "Craftspeople in Their Own Words" that brought together stories written or related by the craftspeople themselves describing their lives in the studio, on the road, or at various craft events from the 1960s to the present. The book was to offer an intimate look at the experiences and philosophies of these highly creative professional artists working in all craft media.
Michael Monroe, curator of the Renwick Gallery of American Craft and Director of the American Crafts Council immediately agreed to contributed the Preface. 
All profits from the sale of the book were to benefit the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) and we were started. 
Seemed simple enough. I had never written a book but was competent with computer design programs. Valerie was a good writer and editor and craftspeople in general are always ready with a stpory or two.